Community Chat

[SloopJohnB]

I've never heard the expression per se, but my take on it is that they "got caught".  They probably did the misdeeds many a time, but unfortunately for them they finally got caught, hence they caught a criminal charge.  👮

[violann]

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@PickyPicky3 wrote:

I love language, and so do many people here. Today I heard an interview with a musician from TN who had made some bad choices when he was young concerning drugs and crime. When he got out of prison, he was able to find success in a new career.

He described what happened as "I caught a criminal charge.  And then another. And then I caught a few more..."

I've never heard "I got arrested" expressed in this way. To me it downplays the seriousness of what he did (he didn't give details). Is this regional or a different generation? Prison language?  

We hear "I caught a break" fairly often in the north central Atlantic. I would guess it's similar usage.

just call me "seedy" I guess.

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[Tinkrbl44]

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@PickyPicky3 wrote:

I love language, and so do many people here. Today I heard an interview with a musician from TN who had made some bad choices when he was young concerning drugs and crime. When he got out of prison, he was able to find success in a new career.

He described what happened as "I caught a criminal charge.  And then another. And then I caught a few more..."

I've never heard "I got arrested" expressed in this way. To me it downplays the seriousness of what he did (he didn't give details). Is this regional or a different generation? Prison language?  

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@PickyPicky3 

ITA, and it sounds like he really didn't take responsibility for the part he played in that crime. 

More like, gee, how'd that happen.  Like I caught a cold, or a mosquito bite, or just a bad break ....  the mentality could explain a lot about repeat offenders.

[Goldengate8361]

I am a Tennessean. That's not a Tennessean phrase. Incorrect use of language occurs in all 50 states....or have you not noticed? LOL

[PuppyLoverBob666]

I worked at a business, that was headquarted in Tennesse, for 2 years. I caught some of their regional expressions and was charmed and amused by them, and picked up a few myself.

Years and years ago I watched the movie "Gettysburg" (hope I spelled that right) and the one expression I liked and adopted myself was from when a character was thrown from his horse, and General Longstreet asked him how he was. In that charming accent, he replied, "I'm tolerable, sir".

I've also heard some expressions from people who weren't necessarily southerners but definitely country people, and I couldn't repeat some of them here but they sure were amusing--and I say that in a good way, not critical.

[PuppyLoverBob666]

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@proudlyfromNJ wrote:

I caught a cold.

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lol!

[BExplorer]

I am from Illinois and work in the criminal justice system. Yes, that is common language used by those who have been arrested.

[Hippiified]

This southerner has never heard it.

[PickyPicky3]

@BExplorer   When you hear this phrase used, is it a simple equivalent of "I got arrested"? Or, as has been discussed here, does it have undertones of "a bad break" or "bad luck that I got caught"?

Do you associate it more with people who are from the South?

It's interesting that so few of us have actually ever heard it. And with all the police dramas on TV, shame on those scriptwriters who have ignored this authentic convict usage.

[Zernia Rose]

Another variant of the Tennessee phrase is "caught a bid." The phrase need not imply criminality; context matters.  Some who work in stocks use a phrase that is interchangeable in urban/hip hop culture, making it a great example for the multiple uses of words/phrases that vary across region, time, gender, etc. "Caught a bid" in investment can mean a stock has increased in value among some. Caught a bid/case means someone has an arrest and/or received jail/prison time.